U.S. patent application number 11/708987 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for articulation apparatus for external fixation device.
Invention is credited to Michael W. Mullaney.
Application Number | 20070231059 11/708987 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38559152 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070231059 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mullaney; Michael W. |
October 4, 2007 |
Articulation apparatus for external fixation device
Abstract
An articulation element consisting of a plurality of adjustable
jaw pairs for the purposes of fixating the relative position of
coupled bars and/or bone pins of an external bone fixator. Each of
the adjustable jaws consists of a pair of hemispherical jaw
elements contained within a spherical housing. A passage is
eccentrically arranged through the jaw elements to accept the pin
or bar. The jaw elements have interposed between them a spring
element that serves to bias the jaw elements in the closed
position. Pins serve to provisionally lock the jaw elements in the
closed position. Spring loaded buttons act to release the pins
thereby allowing the jaw elements to open accepting the pin or bar.
The jaws are attached in a back to back fashion through the use of
a threaded collar which acts as a turnbuckle pulling the jaws
together when tightened.
Inventors: |
Mullaney; Michael W.;
(Kinnelon, NJ) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Powley & Gibson, P.C.
2nd Floor, 304 Hudson Street
New York
NY
10013
US
|
Family ID: |
38559152 |
Appl. No.: |
11/708987 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60775565 |
Feb 22, 2006 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
403/52 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 17/60 20130101;
A61B 17/645 20130101; A61B 17/6466 20130101; F16B 7/0493 20130101;
Y10T 403/32 20150115; Y10T 403/7105 20150115; F16B 2/10
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
403/52 |
International
Class: |
F16B 7/10 20060101
F16B007/10 |
Claims
1. An articulation element for an external fixation apparatus said
element comprising: (a) a first clamping member adapted to apply
clamping pressure to capture a first rigid element, said first
clamping member comprising an first adjustable jaw pair preloaded
to be in a clamped position and a first single point parallel
release mechanism adapted to temporarily relieve said preload to
allow said first adjustable jaw pair to open, said first adjustable
jaw pair being disposed within said first clamping member so as to
allow elevation of said first rigid element about an angle A while
captive in said first clamping member; (b) a second clamping member
adapted to apply clamping pressure to a second rigid element, said
second clamping member comprising an second adjustable jaw pair
preloaded to be in a clamped position and a second single point
parallel release mechanism adapted to temporarily relieve said
preload to allow said second adjustable jaw pair to open, said
second adjustable jaw pair being disposed within said second
clamping member so as to allow elevation of said second rigid
element about an angle B while captive in said second clamping
member; (c) a coupling mechanism to rotationally couple said first
clamping member to said second clamping member so as to allow
rotation relative to each other about a single axis; and (d) a
locking mechanism coupled to said first and second clamping members
for locking the relative orientation of said first clamping member
to said second clamping member.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coupling mechanism
includes a threaded collar which acts as a turnbuckle urging the
respective adjustable jaw pairs together when tightened.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said coupling mechanism and
said locking mechanism are implemented in the same mechanism so as
to lock the relative orientation of said first clamping member to
said second clamping member while urging the respective first and
second adjustable jaw pairs to clamp.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said preloading is performed by
a biasing member interposed between a pair of jaw elements to bias
the jaw elements in a closed position.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said biasing member is a spring
element;
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said angle A is zero.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein a plurality of articulation
elements of claim 1 are affixed to said first and second rigid
elements.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least said first adjustable
jaw pair comprises a pair of hemispherical jaw elements contained
within a spherical housing forming a passage eccentrically arranged
through the jaw elements.
9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said single point parallel
release mechanism comprises pins to provisionally lock the jaw
elements in the closed position and spring loaded actuator members
to release said pins thereby allowing the jaw elements to open.
10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clamping surface of each
jaw element of a given adjustable jaw pair comprises a friction
grip surface.
11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the clamping surface of each
jaw element of a given adjustable jaw pair comprises a tooth grip
surface.
12. The component of claim 1 wherein one of said first and second
clamping members is adapted to receive a bar and the other is
adapted to receive a pin.
13. The component of claim 1 wherein both of said first and second
clamping members is adapted to receive either a pin or a bar.
14. The component of claim 1 wherein the first clamping member is
adapted to capture the first rigid element by snapping onto said
first element from a direction generally perpendicular to the
longitudinal axis of said first rigid element.
15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first rigid element is a
rod.
16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first rigid element is a
pin.
17. An articulation element for an external fixation apparatus said
element comprising: (a) a first clamping member adapted to apply
clamping pressure to capture a first rigid element, said first
clamping member comprising: an first adjustable jaw pair which
comprises a pair of hemispherical jaw elements contained within a
spherical housing forming a passage eccentrically arranged through
the jaw elements which are preloaded to be in a clamped position,
said first adjustable jaw pair being disposed within said first
clamping member so as to allow elevation of said first rigid
element about an angle A while captive in said first clamping
member; and a first single point parallel release mechanism
comprising pins to provisionally lock the jaw elements in the
clamped position and spring loaded actuator members to release said
pins thereby allowing the jaw elements to open and adapted to
temporarily relieve said preload to allow said first adjustable jaw
pair to open; (b) a second clamping member adapted to apply
clamping pressure to a second rigid element, said second clamping
member comprising: a second adjustable jaw pair which comprises a
pair of hemispherical jaw elements contained within a spherical
housing forming a passage eccentrically arranged through the jaw
elements which are preloaded to be in a clamped position, said
second adjustable jaw pair being disposed within said second
clamping member so as to allow elevation of said second rigid
element about an angle B while captive in said second clamping
member; and a second single point parallel release mechanism
comprising pins to provisionally lock the jaw elements in the
clamped position and spring loaded actuator members to release said
pins thereby allowing the jaw elements to open and adapted to
temporarily relieve said preload to allow said second adjustable
jaw pair to open; and (c) a coupling mechanism to rotationally
couple said first clamping member to said second clamping member so
as to allow rotation relative to each other about a single axis and
adapted to lock the relative orientation of said first clamping
member to said second clamping member while urging the respective
adjustable jaw pairs to clamp.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first rigid element is a
rod.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said first rigid element is a
pin.
20. An external fixation system comprising: a pin; a rod; an
articulation element for an external fixation apparatus said
element comprising: (a) a first clamping member adapted to apply
clamping pressure to capture either said rod or said pin, said
first clamping member comprising an first adjustable jaw pair
preloaded to be in a clamped position and a first single point
parallel release mechanism adapted to temporarily relieve said
preload to allow said first adjustable jaw pair to open, said first
adjustable jaw pair being disposed within said first clamping
member so as to allow elevation of said rod or pin about an angle A
while captive in said first clamping member; (b) a second clamping
member adapted to apply clamping pressure to either said rod or
said pin, said second clamping member comprising an second
adjustable jaw pair preloaded to be in a clamped position and a
second single point parallel release mechanism adapted to
temporarily relieve said preload to allow said second adjustable
jaw pair to open, said second adjustable jaw pair being disposed
within said second clamping member so as to allow elevation of said
rod or pin about an angle B while captive in said second clamping
member; (c) a coupling mechanism to rotationally couple said first
clamping member to said second clamping member so as to allow
rotation relative to each other about a single axis; and (d) a
locking mechanism coupled to said first and second clamping members
for locking the relative orientation of said first clamping member
to said second clamping member, Wherein said first clamping
mechanism is used to apply said pressure to either one of said rod
or said pin and said second clamping mechanism is used to apply
pressure to the other one of said rod or pin.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/775,565, filed Feb. 22, 2006, which is
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This innovation relates to an articulation element employed
in the fixation of cylindrical components, namely bone pins and bar
systems, utilized in the field of external fixation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] External fixation devices typically include external frames
which are used in conjunction with bone pins which are surgically
placed into the bone fragments to be repaired or immobilized to
promote healing. Such external fixation systems allow for
particular placement of the bone pins that hold the bone fragment
into which they are inserted, as there are often characteristics in
the affected area that require delicate placement of pins such as
proximity to nerves or arteries, or around joints.
[0004] The field of external fixation varies widely comprising many
different types of apparatus. Typically bone pins are inserted
through the soft tissue into the bone fragments; devices are then
affixed to the pins and serve to connect the various fragments in
such a way as to maintain correct anatomic position during the
healing process. As is often the case, placement of the bone pins
must be carefully selected to avoid damaging structures such as
blood vessels, nerves, tendons, etc. Additionally consideration
must be given to the structural integrity of the bone stock in
combination with geometric stability considerations of the final
construct.
[0005] Earlier fixation systems required prior assembly (complete
or partial). One such know system uses a clamping type articulation
element for the relative positioning of fixation bars and bone pins
of an external fixation device. A drawback of such a device is that
the articulation elements require being mounted on the fixation
bars or the pins via their ends in advance of attachment. Until the
clamping mechanism in such device is locked, the components are not
held firmly and can move with respect to one another, making it
difficult to hold all components in their proper relative
orientation prior to or during final locking of the device.
[0006] Other known external fixation devices have been developed
where the components of the external fixation devices are assembled
after the pins have been inserted into the optimum position with
respect to the bone fragment to be held and the tissue surrounding
them. Typically the fixation bars making up the frame of the
fixation device are then placed between the bone pins and
articulation elements are used to connect the bars and the pins. It
is often necessary that these articulation elements allow the bars
or pins to be held at variable angles.
[0007] To address these concerns while providing maximum utility
and ease of use; manufacturers have sought to develop fixation
devices that allow for the placement of the bone pins to be
independent of the external supporting structures that ultimately
connect the pins together. In complex fractures there is often a
need to place many pins, either because there are many fragments,
or due to the poor quality of the bone and/or the nature of the
fracture. Many pins, many of which will present themselves in
different attitudes and inclinations, create a challenge when it
comes time to connect them to the external structure. For this
reason it is imperative to provide as many degrees of freedom when
constructing an articulation element.
[0008] A simple analog to this condition is the case of the simply
supported beam having more than 2 simple supports. This condition
is characterized as being overly constrained. Unless the beam or
the foundation is of sufficient flexibility it is impossible to
share the load evenly across all of the multiple supports. To
provide a flexible beam would defeat to goal of external fixation;
we therefore need to provide a support system in the way of
articulation elements that have the placement flexibility to evenly
support the external structure.
[0009] One known prior art system describes an articulation
component having two cylindrical joints with a revolute joint
interposed between them. The characteristic mobility of this
construct is two translations and three rotations for a total of
five degrees of freedom. A known such system describes a similar
device with the exception that the interposed revolute joint is
replaced with a spherical joint. The characteristic mobility of
this construct is two translations and five rotations for a total
of 7 degrees of freedom. One could argue that more than 6 degrees
of freedom is redundant and to some extent that is true but these
extra degrees of freedom, redundant or not, make the placement of
the device more flexible. This added spherical joint does however
come at some expense, namely the pin to bar centerline distance
must be increased, which makes for a bulkier construct while at the
same time increasing the moment loading on the joints
themselves.
[0010] The foregoing is believed to describe prior art systems as
set forth, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,080,153 and 7,048,735
(so called Jet-X Unilateral Fixation System), and EP 0321472.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] The present invention provides advancements in the state of
the relevant art by, inter alia, providing a an articulation
element employed in the fixation of cylindrical components, namely
bone pins and bar systems, utilized in the field of external
fixation.
[0012] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the
present invention aims to provide greater placement flexibility in
a more compact construct than is presently available. It comprises
the placement of fixation elements on either side of a fracture.
These fixation elements are commonly referred to as pins, whereby
one or more pins are screwed into a bone. One or more pins are
located on either side of a fracture and connected to a bar via a
clamp and/or a clamping system. The present invention relates to
connecting pins with one or more bars in order to fixate a
fracture. Such bars may also be connected to other bars or
structures, if needed. In connecting pins to rods, it is
advantageous to have mobility in a clamping system to allow for
ease of placement and/or post placement manipulation.
[0013] One illustrative embodiment of the present invention
comprises two (2) independent but connected clamp jaws, each clamp
jaw being set in a clamp housing. Each clamp jaw comprises two (2)
clamp jaw halves. The clamp jaw halves are shaped such that a clamp
jaw is able to open and close around a bar or pin. In this
embodiment of the present invention, the clamp jaw is able to clamp
around a bar, while simultaneously, a connected corresponding clamp
jaw is able to pivot about an axis normal to the axis of a pin or
bar that is being clamped. Clamp jaw halves may be circular in
shape to surround a pin or bar with a circular cross section. The
clamp jaw halves may also be shaped to correspond to the cross
section of the shape of the pin or bar being clamped. In another
embodiment of the present invention, the clamp jaws may also be
connected such that the clamp jaws also allows a bar or pin to
rotate and approximately and/or equal to 20 degrees while clamped
to allow for greater range and ease of positioning.
[0014] In alternative embodiments of the present invention, a
spring is used to bias each clamp jaw half into the closed and/or
clamped position. Each clamp jaw half is held in place by a jaw pin
which engages a corresponding hole. In one embodiment of the
present invention, the corresponding hole may comprise a specially
milled shape and/or form. The jaw pins serve to limit the amount of
travel of the clamp jaw halves and to lock the clamp jaw halves
into the closed and/or clamped position. The jaw pins are preloaded
into a locked position whereby the jaw pins are engaged with the
hole in the jaw halves with a disc spring. The disc spring acts
like a pressure plate spring and is made up of a series of radial
levers connected around a periphery. Spring levers hold each jaw
pin in place and allow each jaw pin to come into contact with a
release button. The release button is concentric with the jaw pin
and the disc spring. Application of an axial force on the release
buttons causes retraction of the jaw pins in the opposite
direction. When pressure is applied to the release buttons, such
pressure causes the jaw pins to disengage from the clamp jaw
halves, allowing the clamp jaw halves to open around the bar or
pin. Removal of pressure will cause the jaw pins to re-insert into
the holes in the clamp housing and a bar or pin may be placed in
the clamp jaws and locked into place. A bar in a clamp jaw is able
to rotate and slide about an axis orthogonal to the corresponding
pin axis and pivot about the pin axis.
[0015] In the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, two
(2) clamp housings are connected to each other by a collar. The
collar has an interior diameter which comprises both a right hand
female thread and left hand female thread. Each clamp housing also
comprises a corresponding right male thread and a left male thread
which attach the clamp housings to the collar. The clamp housings
may be keyed to each other such that the clamp housings are limited
in rotation to 180 degrees relative to each other. This prevents
the clamp housings from having an unequal thread engagement in the
collar and limits unnecessary range of motion.
[0016] In another embodiment of the present invention, each clamp
housing with corresponding clamp jaw, also comprises two
corresponding clutch plates which slide along an axis concentric
with a collar. The clutch plates are keyed to the clamp housing in
which they slide and bear against the clamp jaw halves and
corresponding clutch plate. When the collar is tightened, the
collar forces the clutch plates against each other and forces the
clamp jaw halves into a respective clamp housing. The action locks
the clamp jaw halves to the bar or pin and the clamp housings to
each other fixating the clamping system. In other embodiments of
the present invention, the clutch plates may be smooth and/or may
be serrated.
[0017] In embodiments of the present invention for applications
with low load and/or for accommodating less weight, the clutch
plates could be smooth. This may be useful for fractures of the
upper extremities. In such embodiment of the present invention
directed at low load applications, the clamp jaw halves could
comprise a smooth outer spherical surface. In yet another
embodiment of the present invention for applications with higher
load and/or accommodating more weight, the clutch plates could be
serrated and/or comprise clamp jaw halves that may comprise a fish
scale and/or textured outer surface. In another embodiment of the
present invention, a collar and clamp housings may comprise a
tapered form and/or threaded diameters, for example, pipe thread,
whereby in addition to bringing the two clamp housings together
axially, the threaded diameters would squeeze the clamp bodies
radially further tightening and clamping the clamp jaw halves.
[0018] Advantages of the present invention comprise the following:
the present invention allows for one-handed application; includes
one lock per joint; allows for greater degrees of freedom in
mounting; allows for gross manipulation; accommodates multiple
indications; comprises few components; and requires minimal
training.
[0019] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
foregoing brief description and the following detailed description
are exemplary and explanatory of this invention, and are not
intended to be restrictive thereof or limiting of the advantages
which can be achieved by this invention. Thus, the accompanying
drawings, referred to herein and constituting a part hereof,
illustrate preferred embodiments of this invention, and, together
with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of
this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] Additional aspects, features, and advantages of the
invention, both as to its structure and operation, will be
understood and will become more readily apparent when the invention
is considered in the light of the following description of
illustrative embodiments made in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an articulation element
according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a second isometric view of the articulation
element of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 3 is a representation of the articulation element of
FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in schematic cross section.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a close up representation of the articulation
element of FIG. 3.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a cut away view of the release mechanism of the
articulation element of FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0026] FIGS. 6A and B is a view of the pin slot in one of the jaw
elements of the articulation element of FIG. 3.
[0027] FIG. 7 is a view of the clutch plate of the articulation
element of FIG. 3, and
[0028] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an illustrative external
fixation system using the articulation element of the present
invention for use on a long bone application.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] The external fixation system of the present invention
includes an articulation element employed in the fixation of
cylindrical components, namely bone pins and bar systems. Its
structure and functional details will be discussed in detail below
in the context of an illustrative embodiment and with reference to
the figures provided.
[0030] FIGS. 1 and 2 show isometric views of an articulation
element 200 according to an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention.
[0031] The articulation element 200 consists of a pair of
back-to-back spherical clamping mechanisms 200A and 200B that act
to apply clamping pressure to cylindrical bars and/or pins shown
conceptually as 100 and 101. The clamping mechanisms themselves
consist of a pair of spherical jaw elements 90 within each of the
spherical clamping mechanisms. Release buttons 80 allow the
preloaded jaw elements 90 to relax to receive or release a rod or
pin 100. Each mechanism 200A and 200B freely rotates about axis Z
(i.e., in either rotational direction about the Z axis) as shown by
arrows ZA and ZB. Lock ring 60 is used to lock the relative
positions of 200A and 200B as will be described in detail
below.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, bars 100 and 101 are shown in place in
the clamping mechanisms 200A and 200B. Spherical jaw elements 90
(together forming an adjustable jaw pair) are disposed within the
clamping mechanisms 200A and 200B such that they allow elevation of
the respective bars mounted therein. Bar 100, shown mounted within
mechanism 200A, can elevate through an angle A.degree. about the X
axis as shown in FIG. 2. (While elevation only about the X axis of
bar 100 in mechanism 200A is shown, similar elevation of bar 101 in
mechanism 200B through an angle B.degree. about a Y axis (not
shown) will be understood. The Y axis is not necessarily in any
predetermined relation to the X axis, for example perpendicular to
X.).
[0033] In further detail and with reference to FIGS. 3-7, the
articulation element 200 consists of a pair of back-to-back
spherical clamping mechanisms or members that act to apply clamping
pressure to cylindrical bars and/or pins shown conceptually as 100
and 101 (FIG. 4). The clamping mechanisms themselves consist of a
pair of spherical jaw elements 90 that are held with in a spherical
socket 11 (FIG. 4) within the clamp housing 10. Located
eccentrically from the spherical jaw, an angular or Gothic arch
type passage is machined to form the clamping or friction surfaces
91 (FIG. 4). Teeth, not shown, could if desired also be used on
these surfaces 91 to provide a better gripping action.
[0034] Spherical jaw elements 90 are preloaded in a clamped or
closed position by interposition of an elastic element 70 between
the jaw elements 90, shown here as a coil spring 70. The coil
spring 70 is seated within a cylindrical pocket 92 in each of the
jaw elements 90. The elastic element 70 serves to bias the jaw
elements 90 into the closed or clamped position around bar element
101. A tang and clevis arrangement between the two jaw elements,
shown as a groove 93 (FIG. 4) constrains the jaw elements to rotate
open and closed in a plane such that the pin and/or bar, 100, 101
can be accepted once pressure is applied to face 94 of each jaw
element 90 (FIG. 4). Pressure on face 94 acts to open the jaw
elements 90. Once the pin and/or bar 100, 101 is seated the elastic
element 70 forces the jaw elements 90 to rotate closed.
[0035] Pins 20 engage both the clamp housing 10 and the jaw
elements 90 and serve to limit the range of mobility of the jaw
elements 90 such that the mouth of the jaw elements 90 (formed
between faces 94 of jaw elements 90) does not rotate out of the
opening 12 (FIG. 4) of the clamp housing 10 by fitting into the
milled recess 95 (FIGS. 4 and 7). Fully engaged, these pins 20 keep
the jaw elements 90 in the closed position while still allowing for
the rotation of the jaw elements 90 about the axis of the pins 20
by fitting into the cylindrical recess 96 (FIGS. 4 and 6).
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, a single point parallel
release mechanism allows pins 20 are retracted and engaged by means
of a button 80 and disk spring mechanism 30. The button 80 is
guided within cylindrical bore 13 in the clamp housing 10. A
cylindrical bore 81 within the button 80 accepts and guides the pin
20. A disk spring 30 fashioned in such a way as to have a radial
array of levers the outer diameter 32 of which is fitted within a
circumferential groove 83 within the button 80. The inner diameter
33 of the disk spring 30 engages the pin 20 in circumferential
grove 21. Application of force to the button 80 acts on the outer
diameter 32 of the disk spring 30 which acts as a lever pivoting
about fulcrum 31 which bears on the clamp housing. This action
applies a force opposite in direction to that which was applied to
the button to circumferential grove 21 of the pin 20 causing the
pin 20 to retract allowing the jaw elements 90 to open in order to
accept the pin and/or bar 100, 101. Releasing the force on the
buttons 80 allows the pins to re-engage the cylindrical bore 96 of
the jaw elements 90 keeping them in the closed position.
[0037] Once a pin and/or bar 100, 101 is engaged with both sets of
jaw elements 90 the pins and/or bars 100, 101 are still free to
slide and rotate relative to the jaw passage 91 while the
jaw/pin/bar 90, 100, 101 assemblage is allowed to pivot about the
pin 20 axis. Additionally either half of the articulation element
200 is allowed to rotate up to 180 degrees about the axis of lock
ring 60.
[0038] To fixate the articulation element 200 lock ring 60 is
tightened; having both a left hand and right hand female thread 61
on the ID it engages the corresponding threads on the clamp housing
10 drawing the two halves of the articulation assembly 200
together. As the two halves come together pressure is applied to
the clutch plates 40 which bind clutch rings 50 into the
corresponding clutch plate 40 on the other side. (See also FIGS. 6A
and 6B) The pressure effectively keeps one clutch plate 40 from
rotating relative to the other and the flat sides 42 key into the
clamp housing 10. The spherical side 43 of 40 also applies pressure
to the spherical surface of the jaw elements 97 (FIG. 7) wedging
the jaw elements 90 in the clamp housing 10 which applies clamping
pressure to the pins and/or bars 100, 101.
[0039] FIG. 8 shows an illustrative embodiment of the present
invention where the articulation elements described herein are used
in an external fixation system for a long bone application. Several
rods 100 and pins 101 are shown being connected via articulations
elements 200 of the present invention and fixation ring 300. Any
number of pins or rods in combination with articulation elements
200 and ring 300 may be used as will be understood by one skilled
in the art.
[0040] The present invention has been illustrated and described
with respect to specific embodiments thereof, which embodiments are
merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and are not
intended to be exclusive or otherwise limiting embodiments. For
instance, although the description provided hereinabove along with
the accompanying drawings illustrate particular embodiments
incorporating one or a few features of the present invention, those
skilled in the art will understand in view of the hereinabove
disclosure that alternative configurations can be devised and
implemented, as well as other designs capable of achieving the
purpose and benefits of the discussed aspects of the invention.
[0041] Accordingly, although the above description of illustrative
embodiments of the present invention, as well as various
illustrative modifications and features thereof, provides many
specificities, these enabling details should not be construed as
limiting the scope of the invention, and it will be readily
understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present
invention is susceptible to many modifications, adaptations,
variations, omissions, additions, and equivalent implementations
without departing from this scope and without diminishing its
attendant advantages. It is further noted that the terms and
expressions have been used as terms of description and not terms of
limitation. There is no intention to use the terms or expressions
to exclude any equivalents of features shown and described or
portions thereof. It is therefore intended that the present
invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but should be
defined in accordance with the claims that follow.
* * * * *